The request by the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning for 100-500 ventilators from an engineer, industrial designer, and technology entrepreneur, Elon Musk has caused an uproar.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Elon Musk had posted to Twitter the availability of extra FDA-approved ventilators for shipment to hospitals worldwide within his company, Tesla’s delivery regions.
As the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues its rage across the globe, demand for life-saving equipments, including ventilators soared, with countries having to source for these life-saving equipments by every means possible.
In his efforts to contribute to containing the COVID-19 pandemic, Elon Musk started making FDA-approved ventilators available to some countries that are battling with the novel Coronavirus.
“We have extra FDA-approved ventilators. Will ship to hospitals worldwide within Tesla delivery regions. Device & shipping cost are free. Only requirement is that the vents are needed immediately for patients, not stored in a warehouse. Please me or @Tesla know,” Elon Musk tweeted.
We have extra FDA-approved ventilators. Will ship to hospitals worldwide within Tesla delivery regions. Device & shipping cost are free. Only requirement is that the vents are needed immediately for patients, not stored in a warehouse. Please me or @Tesla know.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 31, 2020
In response, the official Twitter account for Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, tweeted “Dear @elonmusk @Tesla Federal Government of Nigeria needs support with 100-500 ventilators to assist with #Covid19 cases arising every day in Nigeria”.
“Federal Government of Nigeria needs support with 100-500 ventilators to assist with #Covid19 cases arising every day in Nigeria,” Ministry of Health requests Elon Musk.
The Ministry’s response had garnered over 1,500 retweets and over 2,000 likes before it was deleted. However, the comments that followed mostly were not palatable.
Federal government is begging for giveaway? Alagbada ina 😭 pic.twitter.com/Ks1cMp1hvS
— Toyosi Godwin (@ToyosiGodwin) April 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/AsiwajuLerry/status/1245638553419186176?s=19
After politicians loot money meant for healthcare you come to the internet to beg for handouts which if given will still be exclusively be reserved for same political thieves. Use the audio monies they're giving to ghosts to buy ventilators.
— Uncle Gem (@gempluz) April 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/cliqik/status/1245644451533303815?s=19
https://twitter.com/chiefmarcus_/status/1245654827637456897?s=19
https://twitter.com/chiefmarcus_/status/1245654827637456897?s=19
Ukraine has a functioning health sector & one of the cheapest healthcare in Europe despite fighting wars since 2014.
Did you see the part she mentioned they have 3500 ventilators? Well, Nigeria can’t even boost of 500.
Let our leaders be dragged.
— Vancomycin 2.0 (@Xhaka_04) April 2, 2020
To back your claim. I know we might not like this government, let's considered things so that we won't be making wrong judgement.😋 pic.twitter.com/fAApZLViwR
— Oluwaseyi Shittu (@shittu_seyi) April 2, 2020
Uncle, Elon Musk said Tesla delivery regions! Do we do Tesla ? Make una dey use una head sometimes. Furthermore of Musk doesn't come to rescue what exactly are our govt doing? It's shameful and an eyesore.. the donations nko abi Dem be audio?
— Wolverine44 (@Uchihadefacto) April 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/chiefmarcus_/status/1245668071622291458?s=19
Isn't this embarrassing to u. What happened to the billions pledged so far cuz it can afford all this
— MotherConfessor (@Lindadidirelly) April 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/PrincessofImo/status/1245651646777929729?s=19
Meanwhile, several countries such as Spain, Ukraine and Argentina have indicated interest for the extra FDA-approved ventilators that Elon Musk is willing to giveaway.
My name is Ulana Suprun and I am the former minister of health of Ukraine. Ukraine is in dire need of ventilators. We have only 3500 in the ICUs and we have a population of 37million. Please help us!
— Уляна Супрун (@usuprun) April 1, 2020
Dejar Mr Musk. My name is Roberto Dib Ashur. I am the Minister of Economy of Salta Province. In the north of Argentina. I would be interested in receving ventilators for my province. Can you provide me please contact information for further details? Thanks much.
— roberto dib ashur (@rdibashur) March 31, 2020
Dear @elonmusk, as congressman of the Spanish Parliament, I hugely appreciate your marvelous offer, which has been conveyed by my colleague @sanchezdelreal. We’ll launch initiatives across all the strata of the Administration to answer quickly to your generosity.
— Juan Luis Steegmann Olmedillas (@jlsteeg) April 1, 2020